Fotolia is Shutting Down – It’s official. The Fotolia service has permanently said goodbye. However, the end of one thing always marks the beginning of another. In this case, Fotolia is now under Adobe’s umbrella. From now on, the giant behind Photoshop and Illustrator will take over the well-known stock photo platform. What can we expect in return?

Fotolia is Shutting Down

The well-known stock photo service is disappearing. Fotolia, beloved by designers worldwide, recently announced that it will close on November 5, 2019. This information was shared with all subscribers. However, this is not the end of the photo giant.

Some time ago, Fotolia was integrated into Adobe Stock. Adobe has been developing this large stock platform under its brand for some time. Adobe Stock offers not only photos and videos but also 3D objects and mockups for various uses, including AI projects. The disappearance of Fotolia from the web was predictable — four years ago, the service was acquired by Adobe for approximately $800 million. Initially, it operated semi-independently within Creative Cloud, but now its fate is fully determined.

What is a Stock Photo Service?

A stock photo service (like Fotolia) collects, stores, and provides photos, illustrations, and other graphics for commercial use.

Photos from these services are used by companies for advertising, marketing, and creating promotional materials. Stock photo services offer a wide range of images, including product photos, people, landscapes, and abstract imagery.

Companies can use Fotolia by purchasing a license to use specific images. This license typically allows a company to use the image in promotional materials such as flyers, posters, or websites.

Stock photo platforms like Fotolia usually have extensive databases, making it easy for clients to search for the images they need. Many services also allow downloading images in various formats, such as JPG, PNG, or even vector files like AI and SVG.

A stock photo service is a valuable resource for companies needing quick and easy access to high-quality images. By having a centralized collection, businesses save time and avoid dealing with legal formalities regarding image usage.

Stock photos are commonly used for:

1. Website design;
2. E-commerce store development;
3. Mobile app design;
4. Branding;
5. Poster design;

Interactive agencies regularly providing marketing and design services have access to vast stock photo resources.

Fotolia Shutting Down – What’s Next?

There’s no need to worry — the owner hasn’t changed, so the quality of available materials remains reliable. This change can be seen as mostly cosmetic and a reorganization of Adobe’s US-based products.

We’re glad Adobe is expanding its offerings. With high-quality photos, we can continue providing our clients with world-class websites and e-commerce stores.

Below is a snippet from the official notice confirming this:

Fotolia is Shutting Down – What Are the Alternatives?

The market doesn’t like a vacuum. Fotolia wasn’t the only stock photo service. Moreover, it didn’t disappear — it just changed ownership. So, what alternatives are available? Here are some of the most popular stock photo platforms:

1. Adobe Stock (formerly Fotolia);
2. iStock;
3. Shutterstock;
4. Dreamstime;